(Malus domestica)
Apple trees are large if grown from seed. Generally, apple cultivars are propagated by grafting onto rootstocks, which control the size of the resulting tree. There are more than 7,500 known cultivars of apples, resulting in a range of desired characteristics. Only 2 are native to Canada. They spread in the wild and in rural areas by seed and are an important food source for birds and wildlife. If maintained and cared for, apple trees can be a beautiful part of your landscape with the benefit of healthy, local fruit. Interestingly, to determine the difference between a crap apple and an apple is measure the size of fruit. Smaller than 2 inches = crab apple, larger than 2 inches = apple!